THE GREAT DIVIDE IS NOT BETWEEN S'POREANS & FTS, IT'S BETWEEN S'POREANS & GOVT.

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The tv talk show posed the question – Citizen-PR gap: Have we widened it too much? When the talking heads were done, 67.8% said no, 32.2 % said yes. In the light of latest developments, one could almost sympathise with the newcomers.

“A” moved from Malaysia to continue his studies for the A-Levels. Got his degree at Nanyang University, married and had a son who completed national service, studied overseas and currently working over there.

“B”, also from Malaysia originally, qualified for and obtained his citizenship from Australia, and took up residence here because of work commitments. His two sons have completed national service, one studying in the UK and another is at NUS.

Both “A” and “B” have been permanent residents (PRs) for decades, and never saw the need to take up citizenship. They live in private properties, paid their taxes and higher school fees for the kids. If the measures directed at PRs affect them, they are not significantly perturbed. Singaporeans aren’t too upset either, after all, both did not compete for the limited supply of public housing, and took their proper place at the queue for schools.

What the xenophobic are really upset about are the new immigrants who are squeezing out the citizens at the work place, schools, public transportation and subsidized public housing. Immigrants who are brought in just to make up the 6.9 million.

The real divide is not about living harmoniously in Singapore, the real divide is between the planners and the people who are suffocated by the strained infrastructure. It is sad, but the newcomers seeking a better life here need not end up as scapegoats for a flawed government.

Tattler
*The writer blogs at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]